Sr Clotilda Makwey,
\nPrincipal Hospital Administrator<\/p>\n
Mlambe hospital is found in Blantyre district. Since Blantyre district does not have a district hospital, it is used as a district hospital. It is one of the most reliable hospitals in Malawi. Because of this, it serves many clients coming from both the catchment area and neighboring districts. Since it is along M1 Road, it is screening many people, including truck drivers passing by from South Africa, Tanzania and Mozambique. Therefore in order to combat and prevent more cases of COVID 19 pandemic the hospital\u2019s management team and staff has carried out the following interventions.<\/p>\n
Provision of water, buckets and hand washing soap:<\/strong> Provision of hand sanitizers to all members of staff:<\/strong> Health talks to patients and guardian on prevention of COVID 19:<\/strong> \u2022 All ambulating patients do not need a guardian. One guardian, one patient:<\/strong> Sensitization meetings and Trainings:<\/strong> Screening of patients, guardians and staff:<\/strong>
\nManagement is providing these facilities in strategic points for all members of staff, guardians and patients. In addition to this, in order to ease pressure on work for cleaners and guards to draw water, sinks have been constructed at the gate, outside the reception and at the gate near the laundry.<\/p>\n
\nManagement is providing hand sanitizers to all members of staff, and in all sections of the hospital, a 500ml bottle of hand sanitizer is provided. While all nurses and medical personnel, are provided with a 110ml bottle each, which is being refilled from time to time.<\/p>\n
\nEvery morning after morning devotion at the reception, health-talks on prevention of COVID 19 and strategies put in place by the hospital to prevent COVID 19 are presented as follows:<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 All admitted patients, require only one guardian
\n\u2022 Visitors like: community friends, relatives and small Christian communities are not allowed to visit patients inwards and to proceed into the hospital.
\n\u2022 Encouragement to practice hygiene through the washing of hands before entering the hospital, from time to time and when existing the hospital.
\n\u2022 Number of people collecting dead bodies from the mortuary is limited to fifteen.<\/p>\n
\nSince guardians are not allowed in the hospital, a small guardian shelter is being constructed as a waiting area for guardians bringing food to patients.<\/p>\n
\nHospital advisory committee and chiefs from all 70 villages found in the hospital\u2019s catchment area were sensitized, so that they pass information on COVID 19 to the people in their villages.
\nSensitization meetings and trainings of both support and technical staff on COVID 19 management has been conducted.<\/p>\n
\nTwo tents have been mounted at the entrance of the hospital, where screening of members of staff, guardians and patients entering the hospital is done. Suspects can be detected before entering the hospital and assisted accordingly to avoid multiple contacts.<\/p>\n\n\t\t